It was repeated on the campanile, and a gun was fired at the arsenal.

A deep but suppressed murmur arose in the throng, which was as quickly succeeded by suspense.
Each gondolier had suffered the bows of his boat to incline slightly towards the left shore of the canal, as the jockey is seen, at the starting-post, to turn his courser aside, in order to repress its ardor, or divert its attention.

But the first long and broad sweep of the oar brought them all in a line again, and away they glided in a body.
For the first few minutes there was no difference in speed, nor any sign by which the instructed might detect the probable evidence of defeat or success.

The whole ten, which formed the front line, skimmed the water with an equal velocity, beak to beak, as if some secret attraction held each in its place, while the humble, though equally light bark of the fisherman steadily kept its position in the rear.
The boats were soon held in command.

The oars got their justest poise and widest sweep, and the wrists of the men accustomed to their play.
The line began to waver, It undulated, the glittering prow of one protruding beyond the others; and then it changed its form.